Throughout the area, Saudi giga-projects gained momentum with NEOM’s inexperienced vitality factories and renewed GCC funding in Syria. In the meantime, UAE petrol costs fell, actual property hit file highs, and international cruise traces adjusted course amid Crimson Sea tensions.
Meet up with 10 of the largest tales this week as chosen by Arabian Enterprise editors.
UAE petrol costs slashed in November 2025
The UAE has introduced cuts to petrol and diesel costs for November 2025.
Petrol costs fell for all classes, following a interval of comparatively secure costs.
Regardless of fluctuating costs all year long, it’s now barely cheaper to refill a tank than yr in the past, with all classes turning into much less reasonably priced than they have been 12 months in the past.
New Mall in Dubai: Sustainable Villa Sq. to open in 2026
Dubai actual property developer KeyMavens has introduced the launch of The Villa Sq., a brand new neighborhood mall designed as a sustainable retail and life-style vacation spot.
The mission integrates energy- and water-saving applied sciences and superior waste administration techniques, supporting the emirate’s inexperienced financial system objectives and reinforcing Dubai’s place as a regional chief in sustainable city growth.
The Villa Sq. will characteristic greater than 124,000sq ft of built-up space and has been designed to strike a stability between comfort and boutique experiences.
Sheikh Mohammed unveils surreal Dubai Museum of Artwork that seems to drift on water
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, unveiled plans for Dubai Museum of Artwork (DUMA), a mission to be developed by the Al-Futtaim Group.
Sheikh Mohammed reviewed the museum’s distinctive design by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando, recognized for his use of sunshine, areas and geometry, and the DUMA shall be no exception. The five-story constructing will seem to drift on Dubai Creek.
His Highness stated: “Tradition and artwork are the soul of a metropolis and a lens via which its progress is seen. They mirror its imaginative and prescient and the depth of its humanitarian mission. The Dubai Museum of Artwork shall be a brand new beacon for the town, enhancing its arts scene and additional strengthening its international cultural standing. Dubai has change into a vacation spot of alternative for creatives from world wide, dwelling to communities and industries working collectively to speed up the expansion of the inventive financial system. This new cultural landmark advances our strategic aim to place Dubai as a worldwide hub for creativity and tradition, and cements its place on the trendy artwork map”.
EXCLUSIVE: Archer Aviation in superior talks to carry air taxis to Saudi Arabia
US electrical plane maker Archer Aviation is in “deep” discussions with Saudi authorities and giga-projects to launch its air mobility companies within the kingdom and throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council, Chief Government Adam Goldstein stated.
“We’re eyeing all the GCC… I do assume you will notice plane right here in Saudi quickly,” Goldstein instructed Arabian Enterprise on the sidelines of the Future Funding Initiative in Riyadh.
He stated Archer has been “speaking to Saudi for a very long time” and is working with regulators to “set the framework, set the principles, after which finally create a pathway for us to launch.”
Aldar to take a position $1bn in Abu Dhabi residential, industrial, logistics developments
Abu Dhabi-based developer Aldar has introduced plans to launch a sequence of develop-to-hold tasks throughout the emirate, with a mixed gross growth worth of AED3.8bn ($1bn).
The tasks span residential, industrial and logistics sectors and convey Aldar’s develop-to-hold pipeline to AED17.6bn ($4.8bn).
Jassem Salah Busaibe, Chief Government Officer of Aldar Funding stated: “Our newest investments mirror the sturdy demand we’re seeing for residential rental models, Grade A industrial area, and logistics actual property in Abu Dhabi. The develop-to-hold technique is a core development driver for Aldar, enabling us to considerably increase our numerous portfolio of income-generating belongings throughout the UAE whereas responding to shopper necessities for professionally managed industrial, residential, logistics, hospitality, retail and schooling belongings.”
Dubai to launch new monetary centre powering fintech and digital asset development
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has introduced plans to create a brand new Monetary Centre inside its enterprise district.
The brand new centre will deal with commerce finance, fintech innovation and digital asset options, cementing DMCC’s place as a key international hub connecting conventional and digital finance.
The announcement builds on the current launch of the DMCC Wealth Hub, which caters to household workplaces and personal capital. Collectively, these initiatives characterize the subsequent section in DMCC’s transformation from a commodities powerhouse right into a diversified monetary and technology-driven commerce ecosystem.
Syria attracts $28bn in new investments as UAE, Saudi and Qatar drive regional tasks
Syria has secured roughly $28bn in new investments through the first half of 2025, with vital participation from corporations based mostly within the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, in response to Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa.
Talking at a panel dialogue through the ninth version of the Future Funding Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, President Al-Sharaa stated main Saudi corporations have already launched tasks value $7bn, whereas main Qatari companies are investing in Damascus Airport and energy technology tasks totalling 5,000 megawatts. He described the inflow of capital as an indication of renewed regional engagement with Syria, which he stated is now positioned as a key pillar of stability within the Center East.
President Al-Sharaa emphasised that Syria now enjoys sturdy and constructive relations with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye, signalling a brand new period of financial and diplomatic reintegration. He highlighted that the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s involvement in main tasks demonstrates long-term investor confidence, with new partnerships specializing in infrastructure, aviation, and vitality — sectors crucial to Syria’s post-crisis restoration and development.
EXCLUSIVE: International cruise traces steering away from Saudi ports till late 2027 amid Crimson Sea tensions – Cruise Saudi CEO
Worldwide cruise traces are unlikely to renew common sailings to Saudi Arabia earlier than the 2027-28 season because of safety issues and vessel repositioning linked to geopolitical tensions within the Crimson Sea, Cruise Saudi CEO instructed Arabian Enterprise.
“We’re nonetheless type of affected by the geopolitical state of affairs, and most of the worldwide cruise traces have repositioned their cruise vessels,” Clasen instructed Arabian Enterprise on the sidelines of the Future Funding Initiative in Riyadh. “There are solely only a few occasional calls from ships passing by. There’s no seasonal deployment apart from our personal.”
The chief government stated most international operators had eliminated the Crimson Sea and Gulf routes from their itineraries following rising tensions within the area and should not anticipated to return within the close to time period.
UAE actual property market surges in Q3 as workplace occupancy hits 94% and $38bn Dubai gross sales defy slowdown
The UAE actual property market continued its sturdy development within the third quarter of 2025, with sturdy efficiency throughout industrial, residential, hospitality, and industrial sectors, in response to CBRE Center East’s UAE Actual Property Market Assessment.
Regardless of restricted new provide, the market demonstrated resilience amid rising overseas direct funding, non-oil development, and file tourism numbers, positioning the UAE as one of many world’s most secure and aggressive economies.
CBRE famous that the UAE’s GDP is projected to increase 4.9 per cent in 2025, supported by stronger oil manufacturing and a 4.6 per cent non-oil development fee, whereas the Buying Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 54.2 in September, signalling sustained enlargement and investor confidence. Dubai’s residential sector recorded 56,723 transactions value AED139.8bn ($38.1bn) in Q3 — up 16 per cent year-on-year. Off-plan gross sales dominated, accounting for 75 per cent of all offers, whereas costs rose 12.9 per cent.
OXAGON to begin constructing photo voltaic and wind factories in 2026 to create ‘1000’s’ of jobs at NEOM, CEO says
Saudi Arabia’s OXAGON, the economic metropolis inside NEOM, will start building of large-scale photo voltaic and wind manufacturing services in 2026, a transfer CEO Vishal Wanchoo says will create 1000’s of jobs and mark NEOM’s first wave of large-scale industrial employment.
“If I discuss OXAGON, the rationale we’re creating OXAGON is for creating financial development,” Wanchoo instructed Arabian Enterprise on the Future Funding Initiative (FII) in Riyadh.
“All the businesses that we’re bringing in are job creators. That is actually the primary type of, I’d say, at-scale job creation in NEOM with what these corporations carry.”
